Iron in Health and Disease

Forms of iron: Ferric = [blank_start]Fe3+[blank_end] Ferrous = [blank_start]Fe2+[blank_end]

There is no mechanism for iron excretion.

Approximately [blank_start]1[blank_end]mg of iron is absorbed by the body per day.

Iron absorption occurs mainly in which part of the small bowel? The [blank_start]duodenum[blank_end]

Iron absorption is decreased by alcohol consumption.

Duodenal cytochrome B, found in the luminal surface, is responsible for [blank_start]reducing[blank_end] [blank_start]ferric[blank_end] iron to [blank_start]ferrous[blank_end] iron

[blank_start]Hepcidin[blank_end] is the main regulator of iron absorption. In cases of haemochromatosis, this structure binds to ferroportin and causes its degradation, thus disabling the transfer of iron to transferrin

Assessment of body iron levels: [blank_start]Functional Iron[blank_end] = Measure Haemoglobin concentration [blank_start]Transport Iron[blank_end] = Measure % saturation of transferrin with iron [blank_start]Storage Iron[blank_end] = Measure serum ferritin

Transferrin has [blank_start]2[blank_end] binding sites for iron

[blank_start]Holotransferrin[blank_end] = Transferrin bound to iron [blank_start]Apotransferrin[blank_end] = Transferrin not bound to iron

Ferritin can store up to 4000 [blank_start]ferric[blank_end] ions

Which 4 of the follows factors can increase serum ferritin?

Name this clinical sign which can occur due to iron deficiency. [blank_start]Koilonychia[blank_end]

Iron deficiency can also cause inflammation and scarring of the corner of the mouth. This sign is called [blank_start]angular stomatitis[blank_end]

Iron deficiency causes a [blank_start]microcytic[blank_end] anaemia

There are greater requirements for iron in [blank_start]women and children[blank_end] thus they are more likely to develop iron deficiency.

As well as poor dietary intake, which of the following can also cause iron deficiency anaemia?

The two types of haemochromatosis are primary and secondary: [blank_start]Secondary[blank_end] haemochromatosis usually is the result of transfusions or iron loading anaemias. [blank_start]Primary[blank_end] haemochromatosis is caused by a defect in the genes that control how much iron you absorb from food.

Hereditary Haemochromatosis is a primary haemochromatosis that typically arises due to a mutation of the HFE gene causing a decreased synthesis of which regulative protein? [blank_start]Hepcidin[blank_end]

Haemochromatosis can cause erectile dysfunction in males

Which three of the following can be caused by haemochromatosis?

Hereditary Haemochromatosis most commonly occurs due to mutations in the [blank_start]HFE[blank_end] gene

The initial treatment of choice for hereditary haemochromatosis in non-anaemic individuals is weekly [blank_start]venesection[blank_end]

The most common cause of death for those suffering from Hereditary Haemochromatosis is ...

Secondary Iron Overload should be treated with weekly venesection.

Primary Iron Overload. E.g. [blank_start]Hereditary Haemochromatosis[blank_end]. Should be treated with [blank_start]weekly venesection[blank_end] Secondary Iron Overload. E.g. [blank_start]Thalassaemia/Transfusion[blank_end]. Should be treated with [blank_start]iron chelating agents[blank_end]